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Pure Kona Coffee Fest (Future Top Brands Hawaii?)

Short Future of Hawaii’s 100% Pure Kona Coffee Fest

The first 100% pure Kona coffee tree was planted in Kona by missionary Samuel Ruggles in 1828 or 1829. These first arabica trees were taken from cuttings planted on Oahu a few years earlier. Coffee and pure Kona were a perfect match – Kona with its rich volcanic soil, hard-working family farmers, and perfect climatic conditions. Taste pure Kona’s coffee and you’ll sense its strength, the hand-picked quality that sets it apart.

The first written mention of coffee in Kona was noted in 1840. Coffee was planted in several locations around the Big Island but was best suited to the Kona district. A few coffee fields are now in production outside Kona, but the vast majority of coffee is grown right here.

Working these tropical coffee fields has always been laborious because everything – from planting to picking – is done by hand. Native Hawaiians and Chinese laborers first worked the large coffee plantations owned by Caucasians in the mid- to late-1800s. During the 1880s and early 1890s, Japanese immigrants began their coffee legacy in these same pure Kona Coffee fields.

When the world coffee market crashed in 1899, the large plantations shifted to small Japanese-owned family farms. As the plantations gave up, land was divided into small 3- to 5-acre parcels and leased to the laborers. The cost of these early leases were one-half the crop, and by 1910, only Japanese coffee farms survived. The first Filipinos arrived to work 100% pure Kona coffee farms about 1920, picking coffee during the season and returning to the sugar fields in the spring.

Today many pure Kona Coffee farmers can lay claim to being fifth generation coffee farmers. Pure Kona Coffee is an economic mainstay of Kona, where farmers continue the tradition and honor their heritage with every harvest.

100% Pure Kona Coffee Hawaiian Dynasty Connection.

How did this ornamental tree imported into Honolulu in about 1813 by Kamehameha the Great’s Spanish interpreter and physician Don Francisco de Paula y Marin become Kona’s economic mainstay?

It’s a rarely recognized fact, but one of the mainstays of the world famous Pure Kona coffee industry is an institution that has never planted a coffee tree, never harvested a crop and never roasted a bean. And, likely, many coffee farmers hard at work in the field give little thought to the fact that the land from which they gather their harvest has a direct connection to King Kamehameha the Great, the warrior king who first united the Hawaiian Islands.

In her Will Pauahi directed that her lands be used to generate income for the creation and operation of the Kamehameha Schools, and that the lands not be sold, so that the schools would be supported forever. In carrying out the terms of her Will, the trustees of the Princess’ estate were instrumental in creating the long­-term agricultural leasehold system which continues to serve both the schools and Kona’s coffee growers today. Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate owns 295,000 acres of land on the island of Hawaii. Of that, nearly half has been in agricultural use for more than a century.

Nov 9 @ 10:00 am – Nov 16 @ 2:00 pm

Stroll through this historic farm on a self-guided tour that reveals the story of Kona’s coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. Walk among the coffee trees, meet a “Kona Nightingale,” and watch how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry their world-famous coffee. Special $10 rate with Festival button, available for purchase on-site.

The Pure Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade lights up Alii Drive with a glowing procession of light, music and color, culminating with a traditional Bon Dance.

100% Pure Kona Coffee @ Coconut Grove Marketplace

Nov 10 @ 5:30 am – 11:00 am

Run the scenic coastline of Kailua-Kona from Coconut Grove Marketplace on Alii Drive south to the (in)famous “Pit” and the Registration fees are $50 through October 28 and $60 through November 9.

Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll @ Historic Holualoa Village

Nov 10 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Stroll through the art district of quaint Holualoa Village and visit galleries exhibiting an extensive collection of local artists. Enjoy free tastings from 35+ Kona coffee farms who join the festivities and enjoy the gourmet street food and local art at all the open galleries and booths.

Nov 10 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tour this majestic coffee farm, try your hand at picking ripe coffee cherry and witness how the harvest transforms to coffee in your cup. As a special bonus, take home a 2 oz. bag of fresh roasted 100% Kona Coffee. No reservations required.

Nov 10 @ 5:30 pm

100% Pure Kona Coffee Recipe Contest @ New Location!

Nov 11 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

A unique recipe contest spot lighting the use of 100% pure Kona coffee. This competition is open to Professionals, Culinary Students, Amateurs and Keiki, who aspire to compete with their prized original Pure Kona Coffee recipes for the coveted top prizes in two categories, sweet and savory.

Nov 17 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

A multi-generational, multi-cultural celebration of all things 100% Pure Kona coffee. Hands-on cultural demonstrations, popular Ethnic Food Market, the Festival of Arts & Crafts and all-day live entertainment, one of Hawaii’s most popular entertainers. Enjoy the beautiful lei contest, participate in traditional Hawaiian poi making, ikebana, traditional Japanese calligraphy and visit the heritage display. All day fun for the entire ohana (family).